Easy, Quick and Elegant DIY Button Earrings
My sister recently celebrated her birthday and my gift to her was these gorgeous DIY button earrings. Me being me, I sent her a crafty present to keep her busy which had me walking around my local Hobby Lobby in search of the perfect gift. While walking around the store I noticed these gorgeous rhinestone buttons in the fabric section. I walked over and knew exactly what I needed to do.
The good news was that they were nicely sized, about that of a nickel and they were only $3.99. Wow! I couldn’t imagine finding anything in the jewelry section that cheap! And since like any crafter I have tons of E-6000 and earring posts lying around, I knew that in addition to her crafty store-bought gift, she’d also be rocking some awesomely sparkly ears. And since we’re both into the sparkly and I think these are gorgeous, I know she’s going to be so happy with these DIY button earrings!
For this project you will need:
- Pretty buttons (here are the ones I purchased) but there are lots of others just as pretty!)
- Earring posts and backs
- E-6000
- Nippers and a knife
I was surprised to realize that my button backs were actually plastic rather than metal. But since I already had the metal nippers out I used them to knock the loop off of the back.
You want to make the back as smooth as possible, so carve away any of the loop that is still raised up with a sharp knife, like an x-acto knife or pocket knife.
Put a nice, healthy dollop of E-6000 onto the flat of your earring post and hold for a bit until the glue starts to become tacky.
When tacky push the post down onto the back and situate so that the post is as straight as possible.
And here they are, all sparkly and gorgeous. The total cost for my sister’s earrings was $3.99 since I had everything else already on hand. If you ask me, the project is a total steal and an amazing gift!
What do you think? Would you have known these were buttons and not store bought earrings? Will you be making your own DIY button earrings?
Comments (10)
Regina Partain
January 5, 2014 at 5:36 PM
Thanks for sharing. I made some similar earrings recently. They are a good, fun, easy and inexpensive project.
Allison
January 10, 2014 at 11:07 AM
You are so welcome. In love with them!
Susan Clinard
July 28, 2014 at 4:51 PM
These are gorgeous!! I did the same thing a few years ago but my selection in buttons was limited. Now when I have outfits that no longer fit, I look at the buttons. If I like them then I cut them off and put them in my button jar. I think that I will check my button jar to wee what I have. Thanks so much for sharing !!
Suzanne
April 10, 2015 at 9:22 AM
That’s awesome–my daughter had picked out these EXACT SAME BUTTONS at Hobby Lobby for her new Irish dance earrings, and you’re right, they turned out great!
Sheila Wilkins
February 16, 2016 at 5:13 AM
Hi Allison,
Can you get the posts from any craft & jewellery supplier?
I love these as I have 50 Swarovski twin-hole buttons I have been hoarding for years
not knowing what to make of them.
Thank you the design is gorgeous. They would look equally good using other colours
if they could be found.
With all love
Sheila
(from a brilliantly sunny and sparkling morning in Rothwell,Northants,England)
Allison Murray
February 16, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Hey, Sheila! You absolutely can get posts from any jewelry making store or craft store. They’re very common and easy to find. Here in Texas I can also get them at big box stores like Walmart in the crafting department. Good luck! I’m sure your earrings will be fab!
Cinda
February 18, 2016 at 12:47 AM
Fantastic little project and very beautiful! I am going to use your idea for a class that I volunteer to teach, I know the ladies will love it and since I donate all of the supplies this is low cost for me.
Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Roxanne
December 26, 2016 at 8:09 AM
Love th are, so pretty ans simple make, will definitely try making them! Thank you for the post!
Arlene
July 3, 2020 at 9:53 PM
I do not have pierced ears, so would this glue also hold the clip backing. Thank you for your answer.
Allison Murray
July 4, 2020 at 11:11 AM
Hi, Arlene! If you don’t have pierced ears this glue also will work for clip on earring findings like these: https://amzn.to/2C5qFIq (affiliate link)
Let me know if that doesn’t answer your question…